Dr. Nelson's work experience

During the past 27 years, Dr. Jorge Nelson has been serving in international schools; currently as the Founding Headmaster of AMADEUS International School of Music VIENNA. He formerly served as Founding Head of School at Chadwick International in Songdo, Korea. He previously was headmaster in accredited K-12 schools in Bali, Guam, Mexico and Venezuela. Jorge successfully lead initial and continuing accreditations for these schools with regional agencies as well as authorization with the IB Diploma, PYP, & MYP programs and The College Board’s AP program.
He lead the successful forming in 2007 of the new Middle School program, IB DP re-authorization and leadership restructuring at St. John’s School in Guam, assuming all three leadership roles as head of school, middle and high school principals.
He successfully launched Bali International School’s IB MYP and PYP programs in 2001, lead the successful completion of the WASC re-accreditation self study and cut the ribbon on the grand opening of “Bali High”, giving diplomas to the first High School graduates, while successfully managing the rapid drop in financial resources two months after the school year began and subsequent right-sizing of the school faculty resulting from the extreme drop in enrollment after the terrorist attacks.
In 1998, he lead the removal of the emergency status of the SACS accreditation in Venezuela by working directly with the SACS officials and the school board, getting the school fully accredited and graduated the very first 12th grade class in the school’s 50 year history.
Jorge brought initial SACS accreditation to the American School of Durango, Mexico in 1995 (after they had been a candidate school for a decade) by working with the parents and school board to fully commit to a U.S. accredited program of studies.
Jorge has extensive experience in troubleshooting and bringing continuous quality improvements, including participatory leadership, into the school environment. He has also enjoyed gaining expertise in advancement and development of school programs; specifically growing endowments, financial aid & scholarship fund-raising.
Prior to leading schools, he was Assistant Superintendent at American School Asuncion, Paraguay, taught 7-12 Applied Technology at International School Islamabad and grade 6 homeroom at International School Bangkok. Jorge is passionate about helping children and young adults sustain the love for learning.
Jorge was awarded a full-ride doctoral fellowship in 1992 from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Schools to attend The University of Memphis where he graduated as a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, winning the Department of Leadership’s “Outstanding Student Award”.
He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum from Michigan State University in 1988 and a Bachelor of Sciences in Education from The Evergreen State College in 1985.
During the past 15 years Jorge has published white papers regarding international education and has recently been recognized by both Cisco Global Education and Microsoft Global Learning Research as creating ideal benchmarks for schools overseas.
He has presented his research findings at international conferences in Bangalore, Bangkok, Buffalo, Caracas, Cupertino, Fremont, Ho Chi Minh City, Hsin Chu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New Orleans, Penang, Redmond, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul and more.
Jorge’s past community service includes board member of The International Educator, founding web master for The Academy for International School Heads, board member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Guam and international director of Rotary Club of Guam. He is currently a member of the Seoul Rotary Club in Korea.

Testimonials re" Dr. Nelson's work around the globe

Jorge is a remarkably passionate individual with a broad range of interests, but if you want to see his eyes really sparkle, talk to him about progressive education. Jorge cares deeply about teaching and learning, and he has developed a clear philosophy about how best to educate the world’s youth, especially from a pedagogical perspective. Eschewing the more traditional approach whereby a teacher stands at the front of the room, pouring knowledge into the empty vessels that are the children, Jorge passionately advocates for a different model and is working assiduously to transform how learning takes place at the schools he leads. He sees the teachers as guides, freeing the children to be the authors of their own learning and the creators of their own educational experiences. Jorge’s infectious enthusiasm for this style of teaching and learning feels almost messianic, and I have had the good fortune to spend considerable time with Jorge on the international school recruiting trail, when he is able to articulate his vision to prospective teachers and bring some of the most talented and enthusiastic educators onto his “team.” As a result, Jorge was able to build a tremendous faculty at Chadwick International, teachers who wanted to be true pioneers in the educational realm, not types who were seeking “more of the same” in their educational institution.
Mr. J. Mercer - Korea

Jorge is a brilliant and talented team player, his enthusiasm for the projects he works on is contagious and motivates the team members to completion and success of the project. Jorge is very team oriented and participates with creative ideas but is not afraid to embrace other team members ideas.I hope to work with Jorge again on other projects and wish him all the best on future endeavors.
Mr. C. Sausser - Korea

Jorge is the most dynamic educator that I have ever personally had the pleasure of working with. The vision he brings to every project is clear with the student's welfare and education as his highest priority. His commitment to education from a global perspective and the technology to achieve such a balance is second to none. I consider him a great resource professionally.
Mr. I. Marlow - Korea

Mr. Nelson is a man who knows how to bring out the best in people, which is obviously why he went into education. He is one of the most inspirational people I've ever met, and he feeds energy to everyone he spends time with. He overcomes obstacles that would make a normal human being shudder and give up. I would be honored to teach for or work with Mr. Nelson and I hope someday to get the opportunity to do so.
Mr. S. Revere - Korea

Jorge and I met in Korea while his was both headmaster of the international school and acting VP of Marketing with Gale International on the SongDo project. In the two years we worked together, Jorge was always incredibly attentive the business at hand and adept at the most delicate governmental negotiations, of which we had an endless stream. Jorge oversaw the complete design development of the school, oversaw the construction, then hired all staff and opened the facility on time and within budget. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Dr. Nelson on any platform presented and would heartily endorse his participation, regardless of the depth of expertise required or the nimble intricacies demanded of him. I consider Jorge Nelson, not only a valued colleague, but a true friend who's honor and integrity I have personally seen demonstrated and would depend on without hesitation.
Mr. J. Rickson - Korea

Dr. Nelson is a consumate educational professional with a passion for integrating technology into K-12 private school education. He is cutting edge with his vision of web 2.0 and its application within the learning context and his student-centric approach plances his institutions at the fore front of learning.
Mr. D. Halladay - Korea

I had the opportunity to first meet Dr. Jorge Nelson, while he was with the Chadwick International School (Songdo International School) in Songdo, South Korea www.songdo.com in 2008. Dr. Nelson possessed create passion, insight and perspectives in transforming the manner in which our youth are educated. He has stressed the importance that learning is no longer a one to many approach, a traditional classroom with a teacher at the front of the class disseminating information to students. Rather, Dr, Nelson has envisioned an environment whereby the school and the classroom are “collaboratoriums” whereby students are learning from each other, in and outside the room leveraging the Internet and collaborative technologies facilitated by the teacher. Learning, and the manner in which our youth learn has, and will continue to change. Dr, Nelson envisions the school and classroom to be the catalyst for promoting this change.
Mr. C. Thomas - Korea

Dr. Jorge Nelson has been the individual we have reported to on two separate occasions. He has always been resourceful, fair, interesting, knowledgable, and kind. Because of his intuition and understanding, he has shown himself to be an excellent guide to the people who have worked for him and with him. He has always been willing to support new ideas and work with an individual so that success is more than possible. We would feel very priviledged to have the opportunity to work with him again.
Mr. B. Pavesic - Korea

Under Dr. Nelson's direction, nearly every facet of the school was reviewed and improved.
Mr. T. Kernaghan - Guam

Dr. Nelson is one of the finest school administrators I have known. He is passionate about helping students learn. He is very capable at running a complex organization such as a college preparatory day and boarding school on Guam, with the many challenges and rewards that comes from such an enterprise.
Dr. L. Yudin - Guam

Jorge was an excellent head of school, he respected his staff and worked hard to support staff in their teaching. He very much works alongside his staff. He is an involved, innovative, enthusiastic and practical leader who thinks clearly and quickly. I have no hesitation in recommending Jorge.
Ms. E. Pejovic - Bali

Above all things Jorge is a communicator with a clear vision, infectious sense of optimism and the ability to weigh all opinions and come up with workable solutions to diverse challenges.
Mr. B. Carpenter - Bali

Jorge Nelson is enthusiastic, outgoing and personable. He is able to encourage enthusiasm and optimism in others. He is a good front man for the school, and conducts himself very well in the public arena with parents and others.
Mr. M. Freeman - Bali

During his employment with us, we have acquired higher academic achievement and increased reserve funds while surviving as an accredited school in the worst economic crisis in the history of Anaco and Venezuela.
Dr. M. Allen - Venezuela

Dr. Nelson has the necessary leadership qualities to identify, prioritize and plan short and long term improvements in a school, even during times of extreme economic chaos. As Treasurer, I have first hand experience with Jorge using his financial acumen to keep our school above water during the worst financial “storms” in Venezuelan history.
Mr. C. Lovelace - Venezuela

Jorge is a professional educational leader of the highest caliber, who meticulously prepares budgets, articulates and enhances curriculum, organizes teaching staff and insures our student body has the finest available education possible in Anaco.
Mr. D. Pirtle - Venezuela

Dr. Nelson has an excellent reputation for integrity and thoroughness. He works well with a broad range of personnel from Board trustees to parents to teachers to suppliers and maintenance workers. His approach to problem-solving is creative yet practical.
Mr. J. Roff - Venezuela

Dr. Nelson is always available when he is needed but is never overbearing. He delegates responsibilities effectively and without hindrances.
Mr. G. Kaypaghian -Mexico

Dr. Nelson’s main strength is his vision of forward progress. He is always working towards the goal of making a better school and his accomplishments reflect this vision. Using his superb ability to find and manage resources, and his excellent public relations skills, Dr. Nelson has succeeded where many other administrators have failed.
Mr. J. Farrington - Mexico

Jorge Nelson is the best student we ever had in our department. He has a great sense of humor and gets along astonishingly well with everyone. He understands the need for collaborative leadership - he is a team player who can be trusted to work towards common goals and to motivate others to do the same.
Dr. T. Valesky - Tennessee